What we learned from the 2023 Maui Invitational - ESPN

The Maui Invitational is a rite of November in men's college hoops, and the 2023 version was unlike any Invitational we've ever seen.

This year's event was played not on Maui but about 80 miles away in Honolulu, due to the devastating wildfires that swept through Lahaina in August. The traditional host venue, the Lahaina Civic Center, is still serving as a vital facility for ongoing recovery efforts in western Maui.

Fans on the island of Oahu were treated to the strongest Invitational Field in recent memory. Three of the AP poll's top four teams and five of the top 11 were featured in a loaded bracket.

Marquette and Kansas nearly came to blows when Shaka Smart appeared to take exception to Kevin McCullar Jr.'s comments after the Jayhawk made a 3. Purdue and Tennessee — or, more precisely, the referees assigned to their semifinal — set new standards for foul calls. A young UCLA team looked notably impressive despite losing its first game. And Zach Edey and the Boilermakers outlasted the Golden Eagles to win it all.

We always say November doesn't matter so much, especially when strong teams lose a game here and there. But does that apply to this particular tournament? ESPN's panel of experts — Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello and John Gasaway — have some thoughts.

Zach Edey puts up a remarkable 28-point, 15-rebound double-double in No. 2 Purdue's win vs. No. 4 Marquette.

Edey returns to the mainland with his usual big numbers for offensive rebounds, dunks and blocks. Just don't look past all the points from the line. Even if Matt Painter's All-American didn't have the good statistical fortune to play in a foul-filled win over Tennessee, Edey's production on free throws so far this season would still be impressive. In this